Get Your First 5 Google Reviews

Before someone calls you, they're often checking you out.

A potential customer may find you through Google and then immediately look at:

• your reviews
• your photos
• your website
• what other customers have said
• whether you look like a legitimate local business

Reviews aren't the only thing that matters. But a business with a handful of genuine local reviews gives a potential customer much more confidence than a business with none.

Don't try to game it

Google reviews should come from genuine customers who have actually experienced your business.

Do not:

• write reviews for customers
• create fake reviews
• ask friends who haven’t used your business
• offer rewards in exchange for positive reviews
• pressure someone to leave a 5-star review

Instead, ask customers to share their honest experience.

The objective is genuine customer feedback.

Step 1

Think about your last few jobs

You don't need a CRM. You don't need Airtable. You don't need automation.

For now, grab whatever you already have:

• Xero
• invoices
• job management software
• your phone contacts
• old emails
• your diary
• Facebook messages
• customer records

Find five customers who:

• actually used your service
• you believe were happy with the work
• you have permission/legal basis to contact appropriately
• you can identify and contact

Step 2

Get your Google review link

The customer should not have to search Google, find your business, find your profile and then find the review button.

Instead, give them the direct Google review link.

To find your review link:

1. Open your Google Business Profile management area.
2. Look for the option to ask for reviews or share your review form/link.
3. Copy the review link somewhere easy to access.

Google's interface can change. If the exact wording looks different, look for options related to reviews, customers or sharing.

Can’t find the option, don’t have a Business Profile yet, or have a Google listing you never claimed? There’s a full guide to getting your Google review link that covers all three.

Step 3

Send the message

Don't write a giant marketing email. A short personal message works.

Hey [Name], thanks again for choosing [Business Name]. If you were happy with the work, would you mind leaving us an honest Google review? It really helps a small local business. Here’s the link: [Google Review Link] Thanks, [Your Name]

Hey [Name], hope everything is still going well with the [job/service]. If you’ve got a minute, we’d really appreciate an honest Google review. It helps people find us when they’re looking for [service]. Here’s the link: [link] Cheers, [Name]

Use whichever communication method you already use with the customer. You don't need to start buying SMS software just to ask five people.

Email version

Keep it concise, friendly and personal.

Subject: Could you leave us a quick Google review?

Hi [Name],

Thanks again for choosing [Business Name].

If you were happy with the work, would you mind leaving us an honest Google review? It really helps other local customers find us.

Here’s the link: [Google Review Link]

Thanks so much,
[Your Name]
[Business Name]

When should you ask?

Good moments can include:

• immediately after completing a job
• after the customer tells you they’re happy
• after you’ve solved a problem
• after sending the final invoice
• after a successful project handover

What if they don't respond?

People are busy. If someone doesn't respond, that's okay. You can send one polite reminder several days later.

Hey [Name], just bumping this up in case you missed it. No worries if you’ve been flat out — here’s the review link again if you get a minute. Thanks!

Then move on. Don't pressure customers.

When someone leaves a review

Respond to the review. The response doesn't need to be clever.

Simple framework:

• Thank them
• Mention something specific
• Sign off naturally

Write a short, natural response to this Google review. Sound like a genuine local business owner, not a marketing agency. Thank the customer, reference something specific from their review and keep it conversational. Don’t use clichés or excessive enthusiasm.

Paste the customer’s review here.

AI can help with the first draft, but make sure the final response sounds like you.

Your five-review challenge

Tick them off as you go.

• Find five happy customers
• Get your Google review link
• Send the first request
• Send the second
• Send the third
• Send the fourth
• Send the fifth
• Respond to any reviews you receive

You've got five. Now what?

Don't make this a once-off campaign. Once you've got your first five, the next goal isn't to send hundreds of messages. It's to make asking for a review part of how you finish a job.

You can eventually automate this using tools you already have — Airtable, email, SMS or your existing job/customer system. But don't automate something you haven't proven manually first.

Got stuck?

Have a crack first. If you've followed the guide and something isn't making sense, we're happy to point you in the right direction.